The 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season is just days away and it’s time to take a look at the riders who will be gunning for the FIM World Championship beginning in Anaheim on Saturday night.

With reigning triple champion Ryan Villopoto gunning for his fourth consecutive title, the task will be tough for every competitor to end his reign of dominance. However, with the most talented field in history set to line up on the gate next weekend, there is a large contingent of competitors looking to make their presence felt throughout the 17-race season.

5. The Rise of World Challenge: With the two major North American sports car series now becoming one, 2014 could be the year of opportunity for the Pirelli World Challenge. The SCCA-sanctioned series will, for the first time, allow full FIA GT3-spec cars, which has already gained a considerable amount of interest from new teams and drivers to the sprint-race championship. Look for a number of GT3 models to make their U.S. debuts next year, including the McLaren MP4-12C and Lamborghini Gallardo.

4. New LMP1 Regulations: A new era in prototype racing begins next year with the introduction of a fresh set of LMP1 regulations, which could transform racing as we know it. Top-line prototypes from Audi, Toyota, Porsche, as well as privateer entries, will compete under a new energy allocation ruleset, where a set amount of fuel is allowed to be used per lap. All factory teams must run at least one energy recovery system, while there are no restrictions on the size of an internal combustion engine. These technological advancements will no doubt be fascinating to watch over the course of the FIA World Endurance Championship season.

Don’t miss out on the action. The 2014 Supercross season starts Jan. 4 on FOX Sports 1! (Photo: Supercrossonline.com)

Feld Motor Sports has announced the long-awaited 2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, television schedule on FOX Sports, featuring all races live.

For the first-time ever, the entire Monster Energy Supercross season airs live on the FOX Sports family of networks. FOX Sports 1 will air 13 races live, including two repeat airings on FOX Sports 2. Additionally, FOX Sports 2 will air four races live, including a repeat airing on FOX Sports 1 on the Sunday following the live race.

A general view of the slopes Biche and Chamois on the Saulire Mountain where Michael Schumacher was involved in an incident while skiing in Meribel, France. (Photo: Getty Images)

Michael Schumacher was not traveling at speed when he fell on the ski slopes on Sunday morning – and had just helped a friend who had already fallen.

Inevitably, there had earlier been speculation that Schumacher, who was skiing with his son and a group of friends, had been testing the limits, especially as his accident had happened off-course. However, that is not the case.

Michael Schumacher underwent a second surgery after a brain scan showed small, “surprising” signs of improvement, but grim doctors said Tuesday they could offer no insight into the prognosis for the Formula 1 champion.

Schumacher, who turns 45 on Friday, suffered critical head injuries when he fell and struck a rock Sunday while skiing on a family vacation in the French Alps. His manager confirmed that the accident cracked his helmet, which doctors credited for giving him a chance at survival.

Schumacher’s condition stabilized somewhat after the second surgery, but he remains in a medically induced coma — and doctors gave no prediction on how long that would last.